Out of the way Von Miller. Playing six games without their star pass rusher was yesterday's primary Broncos concern.

Protecting Peyton Manning is now issue No. 1 after preliminary tests on Ryan Clady's left foot created fear of a serious injury according to two NFL sources.

The Broncos were discussing options Monday on how best to proceed with their all-pro left tackle. The worst-case scenario of season-ending injured reserve is possible.

Placing Clady on IR with the designation to return is another option. Designated IR would sideline Clady for a minimum of eight weeks.

Either way Clady will miss significant time because of a Lisfranc injury in the arch of his left foot. Lisfranc sprains occur when a metatarsal bone is displaced from the tarsus. The more severe Lisfrancs can have a three- to four-month recovery period.He suffered the injury Sunday with less than four minutes remaining in the Broncos' 41-23 victory against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Looking at Clady's injury from an optimistic position he could miss the next three months and still play the final two regular-season games against Houston and Oakland as tuneups for the playoffs.

With Clady out Chris Clark will be the Broncos' starting left tackle. The Broncos and Clark reached an agreement on a two-year contract extension Friday. He signed the deal Monday.

"He got a lot of work in training camp as well as the preseason games" Broncos coach John Fox said at his Monday news conference. "We have the utmost confidence in Chris Clark."

The Broncos most likely would have to sign another offensive tackle as insurance as Clark was the team's only true backup. Starting left guard Zane Beadles is now the team's top reserve tackle.